Giving Much, Much Required: Recognizing Christ
The Gospel of Mark • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction:
Introduction:
What do we think about the Messiah? This question, posed by Jesus, is one of the most critical questions any of us could answer. In Mark 12:35–44, Jesus confronts the common misconceptions of His day about the Messiah, challenging the scribes’ shallow understanding of His identity and mission.
The scribes were confident in their knowledge—after all, they were the religious scholars of the time. Yet, they misunderstood Scripture, focusing on human traditions and assumptions rather than the Spirit-inspired truth. They expected the Messiah to be a human king, the "Son of David," who would usher in political deliverance and national prosperity. But Jesus reveals that the Messiah is far more than David's son; He is David’s Lord.
This passage also draws our attention to the widow’s offering—a stunning display of faith and devotion. Her act of sacrificial giving stands in stark contrast to the self-centered pride of the scribes. While they sought recognition and power, she quietly gave everything she had, trusting in the Lord’s provision.
As we reflect on this text, we’ll explore three key truths:
The Messiah’s true identity—fully God and fully man.
The dangers of hollow religion—pride, hypocrisy, and exploitation.
The heart of true devotion—faith, humility, and sacrificial generosity.
Let’s consider these truths together and examine what it means to give much to Christ, recognizing that He has given everything for us.
vv. 35–37) Being Much:
vv. 35–37) Being Much:
The concept of the Messiah/Christ/Anointed one was entangled with the idea of Him being “David’s son,” meaning they believed him to be a mere man. Jesus’ question was one of the most important questions which could be asked of a person:
“How is it that the scribe say that the Christ is the Son of David?”
After the numerous religious leaders’ Jesus stumps them with a question of His own.
Matthew’s Gospel says that Jesus had first asked the Scribes, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?”
42 saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?”
They said to Him, “The Son of David.”
Four Points:
In the Greek the definite article is used, placing emphasis on “the Messiah.” What Jesus is doing is trying to stir them to think about the Messiah. He isn’t asking them what they thought of Him, but what they thought about the Messiah.
Jesus asked this specific question: “Whose Son is He?” Think about the Messiah. What is His origin? Who gave birth to Him? In practical day-to-day living, Jesus was asking three things.
Where does your deliverance come from? The Messiah is to deliver man from all the evil and enslavements of the world. Where will such a Person come from?
Where does your Lord come from—the Person you are to follow? The Messiah is to be the Lord who is to rule and reign and govern all lives, executing perfect justice and care.
Where does your utopia come from—the Person who is to bring about the perfect world and all that is good and beneficial? Where does the Person come from who is to bring utopia, the Kingdom of God to earth?
The common title for Messiah was the “the Son of David.” The OT definitely said the Messiah was to come from the line of David. It was from such passages as these which the Messiah was known as “the Son of David.”
35 Once I have sworn by My holiness;
I will not lie to David:
36 His seed shall endure forever,
And his throne as the sun before Me;
6 For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
1 There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse,
And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
2 The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him,
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.
3 His delight is in the fear of the Lord,
And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes,
Nor decide by the hearing of His ears;
4 But with righteousness He shall judge the poor,
And decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth,
And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.
5 Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins,
And faithfulness the belt of His waist.
Family the Messiah was to do four specific things:
He was to free the people of God from all enslavement. Enslavement was to be abolished and all men were to be set free under God’s domain.
He was to give victory over all enemies. Israel was to be established as the seat of HIs rule. This, of course, meant Israel was to be the leading nation of the world.
He was to bring peace to earth. All were to serve God under the government established by the Messiah.
He was to provide plenty for all. The messiah was to see all of mankind had the benefits of God’s rule and care.\
The common idea of the Messiah’s origin was that He was to be human, a man. The idea that He might be of divine origin, of God Himself was simply unacceptable thought.
[36–37] The correct idea of the Messiah is that He is the Lord of David, God Himself. Jesus now pointed out the claim of Scripture: The Messiah is Lord, the Lord of David. Scripture doesn’t only say the Messiah is the Son of David, it says that He is the Lord of David.
The Scripture is strong in this sentiment:
David called the Messiah “Lord” in the Spirit…Understand David’s words were spoken under the inspiration of the HS. God was directing Him.
David said the Lord (God/YHWH) said to my Lord (the Messiah). David unquestionably called the Messiah, “My Lord.”
David said my Lord “sits on God’s right hand.” Meaning the Messiah is Lord, for He is exalted by God.
Notice the last part, The Messiah is Lord, for all His enemies are to be subjected under Him.
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The question is boiled do to: how could the coming Messiah be David’s son and yet David’s Lord at the same time?
I believe Jesus was accomplishing two things:
Thinking of the Messiah on in human terms was inadequate—completely inadequate. It is not enough to think in terms of earthly power, of national, political, military, and institutional leaders. There is absolutely no way a mere mortal can bring perfect deliverance, leadership, and utopia to this earth. The messiah is not only man; He has to be God also.
Jesus was claiming to be the Son of God Himself. Man’s concepts has to go beyond the mere human and physical. Man’s idea has to stretch upward and try and grasp the fact; God loves the earth and the people on it—therefore, God sent His Son to earth, sacrificing Him in order to save those who would believe and confess His Son as Lord.
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”
68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
There is a terrible tragedy which is revealing itself here in this passage: the religionists missed the truth of the Messiah because:
They misread the Scripture, not letting the Scriptures speak for itself.
They did not pay close attention to the word in Scripture. (Notice how Christ takes a simple statement an d shows how its exact words predicted the Messiah)
They studied their teachers and authorities more than the Scriptures
Family who is Jesus to you?
If Jesus is truly Lord, then every action and motivation done in His name should be evaluated.
vv. 38–40) Having Much:
vv. 38–40) Having Much:
The Scribes were the “Bible Scholars” of the day. They were entrusted with preserving, learning, and teaching the Word of God to the world. These were the men the people of God should have been able to trust, however Jesus said instead beware of them. The Scribes represented a complete contrast to the picture of how a disciple should be—as a servant, as a child, as one carrying a cross. Jesus said we should notice what they do as well as what the say.
Beware: because they liked to wear their long robes. The scribes were men of leisure, watching others work and rarely being involved.
While I believe their long robes meant they were not willing to physically help those in need. This is a good place to also talk about motives of the heart.
You can dress in order to attract attention, seeking to attract by being different and making yourself stand out. They wore phylacteries (boxes), also they had enlarged the borders of their garments; meaning, they wore outside tassels.
Also you can wear clothes which expose the body, actually attracting attention to certain parts of the body. A person can wear clothes which are too tight, too low cut, too high cut, too thin. A person can wear too little clothing.
13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.
3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands,
Beware: because they love greetings. They demanded recognition from others in their walk with God, and they loved the image of being holy man.
12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
4 Though you ascend as high as the eagle,
And though you set your nest among the stars,
From there I will bring you down,” says the Lord.
17 For when he dies he shall carry nothing away;
His glory shall not descend after him.
Beware: because they loved the best seats in the synagogue and at feast, showing they demanded the perks of status and privilege.
Note what is being condemned: not being in these positions and places, but the love of them. Someone has to hold the upper positions and fill the major places. It is the love of such, the love and the feeling of pride because of the place and position which is wrong. Pride… destruction.
44 How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?
12 Nevertheless man, though in honor, does not remain;
He is like the beasts that perish.
Beware: because they devour widows’ houses. They sinned against the weak and vulnerable but excused it because they thought they were so spiritual.
In that day, a Jewish teacher could not be paid for teaching—but he could receive gifts. Apparently, many scribes used flattery and manipulation to wrangle big gifts from those who could least afford to give them—such as widows. The Jews taught that teachers were to be respected almost as much as God; they said they deserved more honor and respect than any other people in life. They taught the greatest act someone could do was to give money to a teacher. Of course, it was the teachers themselves who taught this.
Beware: because they for a pretense make long prayers. Their relationship with God was far more show than substance. The scribes thought they were more spiritual because of their long prayers.
G. Campbell Morgan wrote, when a man is away from his wife and the journey is short, the letters are short. The farther he is from his wife, the longer the letter become. Morgan said that some people must be a long way from God because their prayers are so long.
[our prayer nights]
Beware of religious people who seek praise, position, or prominence.
Those who attempt to impress with spiritual lingo but fail to show sincere compassion have a worthless religion.
Religious imposters will incur a stricter condemnation.
As in Mark 6:11
11 And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”
Jesus presented the idea of greater condemnation—that some will receive a worse judgement and a worse condemnation than others.
vv. 41–44) Giving Much:
vv. 41–44) Giving Much:
[41–42] The sight of this poor widow must have been a welcome sight to a weary Jesus, after enduring a storm of questions from His enemies.
The line at the offering box and the pride shown by the rich men in their giving shows us it isn’t necessarily more spiritual to have an offering box instead of passing offering bags. It isn’t a matter of right and wrong, but a matter of which is an easier way for people to give in a way which doesn’t call attention to their gifts.
It is either a comforting or terrifying realization Jesus knows what we give and why we give it.
Jesus looks at us when we give and He notices how we give. As Jesus looks, He is more interested in how we give than in how much we give. In seeing how the people gave, Jesus wasn’t studying technique. He looks at motive and heart.
Jesus noticed a long line of rich people who put a lot of money, perhaps making some kind of display to call attention to their gifts. The poor widow was different and offered two mites.
Mark tells us to mites make a quadrans. Quadrans were a Roman coin. The Greek word lepton literally means “a tiny thing,” and we translated it mite, which comes from the word for a “crumb” or a “very small morsel.”
Matthew Poole (theologian and biblical commentator) says we can calculate the value of a mite based on the value of a denarius, which was the going rate of one day’s labor for a working man. According to Poole’s calculations, a denarius equals six meahs; one meah equals two ponidions; one pondion equals two issarines; one issarines equals eight mites.
When you figure it all out, two mites are 1% of a denarius.
The wonderful thing about this widow’s giving was that she had two mites and gave them both. She might have kept one coin for herself, and no one would have blamed her if she did. Instead, she gave with staggering generosity.
[43–44] Jesus didn’t say she put in more than any one of them; He said she put in more than all of them—all of them put together.
This is because as the text states: “They all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had.” She have sacrificially.
Jesus’ principle here shows us that before God, the spirit of giving determines the value of the gift more than the amount. God doesn’t want grudgingly given money or guilt money. God loves the cheerful giver.
6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
The widow’s gift and Jesus’ comment on it also shows us that the value of a gift is determined by what it costs the giver. This is what made the widow’s gift so valuable. David refused to give God that which cost him nothing.
24 Then the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
This principle here show us God doesn’t need our money. If God needed our money, then how much we give would be more important than our heart in giving. Instead, it is our privilege to give to Him, and we need to give because it is good for us, not because it is good for God.
The heart of giving is more important than the amount given.
The woman was poor because she was a widow and had no husband to support her. It also may be significant that Jesus had just criticized the scribes as those who devour widow’s houses. Then a lone widow made a spectacular contribution. Perhaps a scribe devoured her house.
The widow challenged the mindset which says, “I will give when I have more.” The widow had virtually nothing yet was incredible generous. Meaning we can all please Go with our giving just as much as the richest man can please God with his giving. Whatever we give sacrificially to God, He sees it and it is pleased.
[discipleship tithing]
OT giving
Tithes: The tithe is 1/10 of a person’s income taken from the top. It was given to God as a reminder of who provided it, and demonstrated God always came first:
10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.
10 and now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land which you, O Lord, have given me.’
“Then you shall set it before the Lord your God, and worship before the Lord your God.
Offerings: In addition to the tithe, voluntary offerings were given by God’s people to fund special needs as they arose within the congregation.
1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering.
Sacrificial giving: This sacrificial gift which came at the giver’s expense. It was a sacrifice someone was willing to make as an investment in God’s mission.
24 Then the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
As a New Testament believer, your giving should be structured upon biblical principles as you establish the discipline of giving in your life.
Give regularly to support the management of the local church: just as God’s people brought a tithe to support God’s mission in the OT, you should have a set amount of your choosing to give regularly. These gifts support operating expenses, the staff, and general ministry expenses.
14 Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.
17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
Give generously to support the special projects and ministries of the local church: just as Israel brought offerings to support special needs, you should be ready to give as needs within your local church.
27 And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30 This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
Give sacrificially to support missions: God’s people in the OT gave sacrificially to invest in God’s mission. you should be ready to give to the support of the missionaries our church sends out and approves of. These gifts support missionaries to go to places you are unable to go.
15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
24 The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
